PYMNTS AM Radar: Digital Brazil; Security for the Win; Check Fraud; You’ve Been Scammed; ICYMI

Today is Thursday, June 2, and Britain is celebrating its longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in her Platinum Jubilee year. For regular people, that means an extra day off as the region’s customary bank holiday was adjusted for the celebration, leaving most people off from June 2-5.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled the first-ever water security plan, emphasizing the national implications of water scarcity. It’s also National Leave the Office Day. But for people (still or always) working from home, that’s a conundrum. Here’s what else should be on your radar this morning.

Digital Brazil. The pandemic sparked an aggressive move to digital payments in Latin America, and governments across the region are looking to lower the dependence on cash while also stimulating economic growth. In the latest edition of the Digitizing Payments In Latin America Playbook, PYMNTS takes a look at Latin America’s banking history and obstacles as the current push for digital adoption continues. READ MORE

Security for the Win. When it comes to financial matters, security tops convenience. According to the PYMNTS report “The Future of Authentication in Financial Services Playbook: Finding the Balance Between Security and Convenience,” a collaboration with Entersekt, over 50% of respondents said data security was “extremely” important. READ MORE

Check Fraud. While digital payments are fast becoming the default for financial transactions, one in five people sidesteps digital transactions of any kind. The Digital Fraud Tracker®, a PYMNTS and DataVisor collaboration, indicates that for people preferring paper payments, check fraud is on the rise. READ MORE

You’ve Been Scammed. People posing as friends are sometimes the biggest route to getting scammed online and resulting in money siphoned or identity stolen. Eric Kraus, V.P. and general manager of Fraud, Risk and Compliance Solutions at FIS, told PYMNTS that friendly fraud is a threat for merchants and banks alike. READ MORE

ICYMI. Most people are antsy to get away as pandemic restrictions lift around the globe, but the inflation price hike could keep travelers grounded. Spirit Airlines is launching a buy now, pay later (BNPL) initiative through a partnership with Uplift that offers interest-free installment payment options.